Interior gets new CTO

John Branan, formerly chief computer scientist at the Patent and Trademark Office, has become the Interior Department's new chief technology officer.

Branan worked at AnswerThink Inc. of Miami and KPMG Consulting Inc. of McLean, Va., before joining the patent office, Interior officials said.

In his job as Interior's CTO, Branan will enhance the technical expertise of Interior's CIO office, said deputy CIO Sue Rachlin. His responsibilities include assisting with technology matters throughout the department, including its shift to Microsoft Windows XP systems [Click here to read GCN's online coverage] and the department's reform of its systems for managing American Indian trust funds, she said.